ISLAMABAD, July 17: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured Fata legislators that in future all decisions about tribal areas will be taken in consultation with the tribal leadership.

He was talking to a nine-member delegation of Fata MNAs, led by federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi, at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani was also present.

According to sources, the legislators complained that all actions, including the military operation, in tribal areas had been taken without consulting them and said that this was against the principle of supremacy of parliament.

They assured the prime minister of tribesmen’s full support for peace in the region and safeguard of the frontiers against infiltration from across the border. They said that all local issues should be resolved through jirgas in consultation with the political administration.

The prime minister announced a special grant of Rs10 million for each Fata MNA to solve the problem of electricity. He asked the legislators to come up with projects and plans for the people of Fata and promised them more funds.

Opinion

Editorial

Canal politics
Updated 20 Apr, 2025

Canal politics

The consequences of the state taking decisions without regard for its people can be seen yet again in the form of widespread restlessness and anger.
Lesser citizens
20 Apr, 2025

Lesser citizens

CAN the state ever turn the dream of communal harmony into reality? A slew of injustices torment Pakistan’s...
Winning spree
20 Apr, 2025

Winning spree

AFTER sealing qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana immediately set her sights...
Deadlocked
Updated 19 Apr, 2025

Deadlocked

Politicians’ refusal to talk to each other and resolve issues has created space for a different type of rulership to take over.
Trump vs Harvard
19 Apr, 2025

Trump vs Harvard

AMONGST the ‘enemies of the people’ in Trumpian America are elite universities seen as the bastions of liberal...
External account stability
19 Apr, 2025

External account stability

DRIVEN by a major spike in workers’ remittances last month, the country’s current account posted a record ...